Bulldog Athletics Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Oliver Benson, Men’s Soccer / Braxtyn Koch, Football
A junior from Bennington, Neb., Oliver Benson contributed a goal and an assist as the Bulldogs won the GPAC Championship Game, 2-1, over Morningside on Nov. 11. On the year, Benson has notched four goals and six assists. He is a Recreation and Sport Studies major.
A sophomore from Westminster, Md., Braxtyn Koch was named NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week following Concordia’s 21-17 win over No. 19 Northwestern. In the victory, three of Koch’s punts were downed inside the Red Raiders’ 15-yard line. Koch averaged 45.2 yards per punt in the game. Koch is a Business Administration major.
Female: Kristin Vieselmeyer, Women’s Basketball
A senior from Holyoke, Colo., Kristin Vieselmeyer posted 18 points (6-for-8 on field goals; 5-for-5 on free throws), four steals and three rebounds in only 14 minutes in last week’s lone outing. The 11th-ranked Bulldogs broke the school record for points scored in a single game while defeating Waldorf, 133-48. Vieselmeyer is an Exercise Science major.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Month
October – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Adam Van Cleave (football)
September – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Katie Welker (shooting sports)
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Nov. 11 – Ava Greene (volleyball); Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
Nov. 4 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Hugo Garrote (soccer)
Oct. 28 – Keeli Green (cross country); Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country)
Oct. 21 – Addie Kirkegaard (volleyball) / Taylor Slaymaker (soccer); Adam Van Cleave (football)
Oct. 14 – Oliver Benson (soccer); Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
Oct. 7 – Carlos Collazo (football); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 30 – Hugo Fuentes & Nick Velders (tennis) / Peyton Atwood (football); Sadie Mares (soccer)
Sept. 23 – Oliver Balazs (soccer); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 16 – Carson Fehlhafer (football); Ella Waters (volleyball)
Sept. 9 – Sam Blevins (shooting sports); Molli Martin (volleyball)
Sept. 2 – Emery Custer (golf); Slade Leicht (soccer)
Aug. 26 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball); Sean Stratman (soccer)
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday (when classes are in session) at 12 p.m. CT inside the Dog House Grill, located in the Janzow Campus Center. The luncheons feature reports from head coaches who are in season at the time. For information on how to join BAAM, click HERE. It is not a requirement to be a BAAM member in order to attend the weekly luncheons.
NAIA National Championships qualifiers announced for fall sports: Last week was heavy on NAIA National Championships qualifiers announcements. Check out the links below for specific details on where the Bulldogs are headed. The men’s soccer and volleyball teams earned automatic bids to the national tournament while women’s soccer had the unfortunate circumstance of being one of the last teams left out of the national qualifying field. As for cross country, the program will be represented this week in Tallahassee, Fla., by individual qualifiers Keeli Green and Vaughn Hendrickson. Specific matchups and game days/times are included in the sport specific notes below.
• Cross Country
• Men’s Soccer
• Women’s Soccer
• Volleyball
Weightlifting/Powerlifting in midst of 2025-26 seasons: Year four of Concordia Powerlifting/Weightlifting is underway. The weightlifting season got started on Oct. 18 with the Iowa-Nebraska State Championships in Ralston, Neb., where the Bulldogs earned the team title. Fifteen Bulldogs contributed to the championship, including five athletes who broke school records. New school standards were set for snatch, clean and jerk and overall total within their respective weight classes by the likes of Evan Fukuhara (79kg), Taylor Hedke (63kg), Enzo Mancini (110kg), Kaiden Mima (65kg) and Abby Nelson (53kg). Hedke (Marysville, Kan.) broke the school record for Q-points, which is a statistical formula to adjust the total weight lifted for body mass. Next on the schedule will be the Virus Weightlifting Finals (Dec. 4-7) in Daytona Beach, Fla. Concordia Powerlifting has also had one meet so far this season. The next powerlifting event is the Central Collegiate Cup Series (Nov. 22-23). For a closer look at Head Coach Freddie Myles’ programs, check out the links below. In another piece of recent news, Myles was recognized as 2025 Iowa-Nebraska Weightlifting State Organization Coach of the Year.
--Season Previews: Powerlifting | Weightlifting.
Life on the ranch leads to greatness on the range for Welker: A cattle ranch in a tiny rural South Dakota town served as a backdrop for Katie Welker's upbringing. It was here where she developed a passion that would lead to incredible success on the collegiate shooting sports scene. Said the Concordia University, Nebraska Shooting Sports senior Welker, "I was going to end up doing it whether I wanted to or not." Check out our feature on Katie (linked HERE), whose fall semester has included two high overall event championships.
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for an 11th year. The show airs live for a half hour every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT on KTMX-FM 104.9 Max Country. The weekly feature can also be heard live via 104.9 Max Country’s website or by downloading the Max Country app. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Parker Cyza serves as the host of the coaches’ show as well as the play-by-play voice for football, basketball and volleyball. In addition, Eric Allgood will call select volleyball matches in place of Cyza.
Concordia Sports Network: Live webcasts for most home varsity contests can be accessed by visiting https://www.cune.edu/athletics/watch-bulldogs at game time. Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, Concordia Athletics began a partnership with Hudl for live video streaming. Live webcast links for away contests are publicized in sport specific releases that preview action for that particular week. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page.
Football
· Current record: 7-3, 7-3 GPAC; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. No. 19 Northwestern, 21-17, on Nov. 15.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The 2025 season is in the books. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad ended it in style as it erased a 17-7 halftime deficit and defeated No. 19 Northwestern, 21-17, this past Saturday. Prior to kickoff, the Bulldogs honored a class of 23 seniors. In the win, linebacker Dylan Meyer collected four sacks and the Concordia defense limited the Red Raiders to just three first downs in the second half. The punting of Braxtyn Koch was also a key as three of his five punts were downed inside the opponent’s 20. Offensively, the Bulldogs played ball control as Adam Van Cleave returned to the field and rushed 30 times for 110 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Gideon Stark also ran for a score and threw for another as part of the second half comeback. Stark’s touchdown toss went to Jonny Puelz, who also completed a 33-yard pass to Max Bartels (five catches for 69 yards). In contributing to the strong defensive effort, senior Grant Huss made 11 tackles and pushed his season total to a team high 104. The Bulldogs concluded the season with a record of 7-3, putting the program at 15-5 over the past two years. Concordia has also defeated Northwestern in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2000-2001. Though the Bulldogs were not selected for an NAIA National Championships at-large bid, they did gain some traction in the latest NAIA coaches’ poll, checking in as the third team in the receiving votes category. Concordia finished last season at No. 18 nationally.
· Check back on the program’s homepage HERE for Concordia Football coverage throughout the offseason.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 12-8, 7-3 GPAC.
· Last week:
o GPAC Championship – Won vs. Morningside, 2-1, on Nov. 11.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: For the third time since 2015, Concordia Men’s Soccer celebrated a GPAC tournament title. The third-seeded Bulldogs protected the home turf last week in the GPAC Championship Game as they gutted out a 2-1 win over No. 4 seed Morningside. Concordia took a first half lead when Oliver Benson lasered a shot in the back of the net in the 21st minute (assist from Cleme Suarez). The Mustangs later knotted the score in the 71st minute with Bennet Buchwald’s goal. Ultimately, the deciding goal occurred in the 79th minute when Benson played Ricards Busmeisters into the box for what resulted in his 10th goal this season. The Bulldogs limited Morningside (12-7-2) to just two shots on goal (nine total shots) for the game. Head Coach Jason Weides will now lead his squad into national tournament action this week. Concordia has been assigned to Olathe, Kan., and will play 24th-ranked Eastern Oregon University at 1 p.m. CT on Thursday in the first round. The winner will advance to the second round to take on site host and second-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The final 16 teams left standing in the national tournament will make the journey to Orange Beach, Ala., in early December. As a program, the Bulldogs remain in search of their first ever win at the national tournament. Weides also took Concordia to national tournaments in 2015 and 2022 following GPAC postseason championship runs.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE. For a feature on the 2025 team’s “uncommon” journey to the national tournament, click HERE.
· This week – NAIA National Championships (in Olathe, Kan.):
o NAIA First Round – Thursday, Nov. 20 vs. No. 24 Eastern Oregon (13-0-5), 1 p.m.
o NAIA Second Round – Saturday, Nov. 22 vs. No. 2 MidAmerica Nazarene (13-2-5), 1 p.m. (if win on Thursday).
Volleyball
· Current record: 24-3, 15-1 GPAC; ranked No. 4 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o GPAC Semifinals – Won vs. No. 20 Midland, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, on Nov. 12.
o GPAC Championship – Lost at No. 3 Northwestern, 25-11, 23-25, 25-13, 25-19, on Nov. 15.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: It’s national tournament time for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the GPAC Championship Game for the fifth consecutive year. Unfortunately, Concordia wound up as the runner up once again as it fell at the hands of arch nemesis Northwestern in Orange City, Iowa. The postseason path to the championship for the Bulldogs included home wins over Morningside (quarterfinals) and No. 20 Midland (semifinals). In Orange City, Concordia ran into a buzzsaw as it was outhit, .317 to .112. The Bulldogs were led in kills by Ella Waters (14) and Ashley Keck (13). Keck put together a terrific GPAC tournament that saw her post 57 kills (.289 hitting percentage) and 43 digs over the three matches. On Monday, Keck was named the GPAC Attacker of the Year for a second straight year. Keck landed on the GPAC’s first team along with Waters and Ava Greene. Libero Emma Brueggemann was tabbed GPAC Freshman of the Year. Also on Monday, pairings for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round were announced. Concordia will welcome Florida National University to Friedrich Arena on Saturday for one of 24 opening round matches. The winners will advance to play at the national tournament final site – the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, for action from Dec. 3-9.
· For a feature on the volleyball senior class, click HERE.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o NAIA Opening Round – Saturday, Nov. 22 vs. Florida National (17-18), 1 p.m.
Cross Country
· Most recent:
o Men – placed 3rd/11 at the 2025 GPAC Championships on Nov. 8.
o Women – placed 5th/12 at the 2025 GPAC Championships on Nov. 8.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | NAIA Polls: Men | Women
· Notable: After completing the conference championships, the Bulldogs waited until Nov. 11 for the release of official NAIA national qualifiers. Unfortunately, the Concordia men fell just short of an at-large bid, based on the final NAIA coaches’ poll. On the plus side, the Bulldogs will travel one individual national qualifier apiece for men and women. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s programs will be represented at nationals by sophomores Keeli Green and Vaughn Hendrickson. Both runners have experience at the national championships. Green ran at the 2023 national meet in Vancouver, Wash., and placed 177th while helping Concordia placed 18th as a team. In 2024, Hendrickson ran an 8K PR of 24:37.2 and placed 36th at the national meet in Columbia, Mo. He earned All-America status. The 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championships will get started at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. CT) on Friday from Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla. The meet was also held at that location in 2022.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Nov. 21 at 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Tallahassee, Fla.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 13-2-5, 7-1-3 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Did not play.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: As the Bulldogs learned on Nov. 14, their 2025 season has concluded. Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad was not one of the 14 at-large qualifiers named to the national field. Concordia’s fate was left to the selection committee after it fell, 2-1, in overtime to Hastings in the GPAC tournament semifinals on Nov. 8. At 13-2-5 overall, the Bulldogs had a case for a national at-large bid. They landed at No. 42 in the official NAIA RPI released on Nov. 13. Some good news did arrive last week when eight Concordia players were honored as GPAC All-Conference award winners. First team accolades went to Kierstynn Garner, Niah Kirchner, Kyana Rios and Triniti Rowe. Both Garner and Kirchner were chosen to the first team for a third straight year. The Bulldogs will now transition into the offseason while looking ahead to 2026. Concordia will graduate an accomplished class of seniors that were part of the program’s first ever national tournament win in 2024. However, the expectation will be for the Bulldogs to again compete near the top of the league next season.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE. Offseason news will populate at that link.
Wrestling
· Current dual record: 1-0, 1-0 GPAC; ranked No. 16 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Hastings, 32-18, on Nov. 13.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA National Rankings
· Notable: The season’s first dual unfolded this past Thursday as the 16th-ranked Bulldogs hosted Hastings. Concordia won six of the 10 matches, including three via pin. The victories were produced by Cal Price (major decision at 141), No. 19 Stevie Barnes (forfeit at 149), No. 17 Cole Price (major decision at 165), Evan Sepanlou (major decision at 174), No. 22 Hunter Weimer (pin at 184) and No. 14 Torrance Keehn (pin at 197). The Bulldogs got on a roll in the latter half of the dual after Hastings started strong with a pin at 125 and with a victory by decision at 133. The Broncos also earned triumphs at 157 and 285. The heavyweight clash was the lone match of the night that featured two nationally ranked combatants. Hastings’ No. 8 Koen Mattern clipped No. 19 Gabe Kant, 11-6. Head Coach Josh Watts’ program aims to compete for a conference title after finishing in a tie for second in last season’s GPAC dual standings. Concordia currently boasts seven individuals who are ranked at the national level. Its team national ranking of No. 16 is the highest for the program since the end of the 2019-20 season. Next up, the Bulldogs will take on eighth-ranked Doane in Crete on Friday night. The next day, Concordia will be headed to Kearney, Neb., for the Younes Hospitality Open.
· For additional news and notes on the wrestling program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Nov. 21 at No. 8 Doane (0-0), 7 p.m.
o Saturday, Nov. 22 at Younes Hospitality Open (Kearney, Neb.), 9 a.m.
Women’s Basketball
· Current record: 5-0, 1-0 GPAC; ranked No. 11 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Waldorf, 133-48, on Nov. 15.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The Bulldogs soared in the latest NAIA coaches’ poll, vaulting from unranked to No. 11. That ranking came on the heels of Concordia defeating then No. 18 Arizona Christian University and then No. 13 MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) at the Cattle Classic. In last week’s lone outing, Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad obliterated Waldorf, 133-48, in the GPAC opener. The point total broke the previous school single game record of 127 achieved versus College of Saint Mary on Nov. 20, 2020. Seven Concordia players reached double figures in the white washing of the Warriors: Kristin Vieselmeyer (18), Abbie Kromarek (13), Mack Reimer (13), Bree Bunting (12), Libby Hoffman (11), Sammy Leu (11) and Savi Butterfield (10). Another six Bulldogs ranged from six to eight points. Concordia also racked up 27 steals and forced 38 turnovers from outmatched Waldorf. With that outburst, the Bulldogs are actually averaging more than 100 points per game (102.6) through the first five outings. Concordia also scored 117 points in the season opener versus Kansas Christian College. GPAC play heats up this week as the Bulldogs host College of Saint Mary on Wednesday before traveling to play at Northwestern on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the women’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Nov. 19 vs. College of Saint Mary (1-6, 0-1 GPAC, 7 p.m.
o Saturday, Nov. 22 at Northwestern (4-0, 1-0 GPAC), 5 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
· Current record: 4-2, 1-0 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Waldorf, 95-67, on Nov. 15.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Make it three W’s in a row at home. The Bulldogs started quick and finished strong as part of their 95-67 GPAC opening win over Waldorf. Concordia led 14-2 out of the gate and eventually ballooned the lead to as large as 30 points. Four Bulldogs reached double figures in scoring: Brooks Kissinger (22), Jaxon Stueve (19), Dane Jacobsen (17) and Tate Odvody (15). Both Kissinger (10 rebounds) and Jacobsen (11 assists) turned in double-doubles while Stueve (nine rebounds) just missed out. While Concordia did have a bit of a lull that allowed the Warriors to hang within 10 early in the second half, it still shot 57.6 percent (38-for-66) overall. Off the bench, freshman Garret Johnson (3-for-6 from 3-point range) continues to provide sizzling outside shooting. Prior to this past Saturday, Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad had been idle since winning twice at the Cattle Classic. The competition will ramp up this week. The Bulldogs will be headed to the NCAA Division I University of Nebraska Omaha (exhibition for Concordia) on Wednesday night before traveling to play No. 3 Northwestern on Saturday. The Red Raiders were upset at Doane, 75-71, this past weekend.
· For additional news and notes on the men’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Nov. 19 at University of Nebraska Omaha (1-3), 7 p.m. (Exhibition).
o Saturday, Nov. 22 at No. 3 Northwestern (6-1, 0-1 GPAC), 6:45 p.m.